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Ward G4 - Culford

West Suffolk Hospital, Hardwick Lane, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, IP33 2QZ

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Access Guide

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Getting To The Hospital (West Suffolk Hospital)

  • By Road View
    • West Suffolk Hospital is located to the south of Bury St. Edmunds town centre.
      It is within easy access of the A14 (westerly or easterly direction).
    • There are several car parks for patients and visitors available on site.
      Please note that car parking at West Suffolk Hospital can be difficult at busy times of the day.
  • By Bus View
    • The main bus station is in St Andrew's Street North, a few minutes walk from the town centre.
      Mulley's Bus Company runs the M11/M22 bus service from here to the hospital and return.
      Currently, this runs at hourly intervals at 10 minutes past the hour arriving at the hospital at 27 minutes past.
      Stephenson's Bus Company runs the Bury St Edmunds Town Breeze Service from here to the hospital and return.
      Currently this runs at half hourly intervals, at 15 and 45 minutes past the hour arriving at the hospital at 25 and 55 minutes past.
    • There is an onsite bus stop.
    • The onsite bus stop is located at the front of the hospital.
    • The onsite bus stop has a shelter and benched seating available.
      There is not enough space for a wheelchair user.
    • The route from the onsite bus stop to the main entrance has either a steep slope or stepped access.
      The slope that leads to the main entrance is located at the end of the path to the right as you exit the bus shelter, then the main entrance is located in front as you reach the top of the slope.
      The steps that lead to the main entrance are located to the left as you exit the bus shelter, then the main entrance is located in front as you reach the top of the steps.
  • By Train View
    • The railway station is on Station Hill (Tel: 01284 484950), approximately 1 mile from the town centre and 2 miles from the hospital.
      There are at least five train services daily between Bury St Edmunds and Ipswich and Cambridge.
      There is a bus service from the station which runs to the main bus station in St Andrew's Street North, with connecting services to the hospital.
      There is also a taxi rank outside the station, and further taxi offices on Station Hill.
  • Useful Links View

Getting Help and Assistance (West Suffolk Hospital)

  • To see the hospital map please click here (opens new tab).
  • There is a Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) at the hospital.
  • The Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) is located to the left as you enter the hospital via the main entrance.
  • The telephone number for the Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) is 01284 712 555.
  • The email address for the Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) is [email protected].
  • There are volunteers available for help and assistance at the hospital.
  • Volunteers can be found at the information desk.
  • Documents are available in an alternative format and can be provided to include: Braille on request, large print on request, different languages on request and audio on request.
  • There is not an assistance dog toilet or toileting area on the hospital site.
  • Water bowls for assistance dogs are not available.
  • BSL interpreters can be provided on request.
  • Language interpreters can be provided on request.
  • A mobility scooter charging point is not available at the hospital.
  • Mobility aids are available to help patients move around and include; wheelchairs, motorised wheelchairs, tri wheel walkers, walking frames, walking sticks, mobile hoists, hoist slings, adjustable beds and crutches.
  • To obtain mobility aids please contact a member of staff.
  • There is a Changing Places facility at this hospital which is located within the green zone - lifts No1 and No2 lift lobby.
  • To view the Changing Places Accessibility Guide please click here.

Hospital Parking (Main Entrance Blue Badge Bays)

  • Parking View
    • The hospital does have a dedicated car park.
    • The car parking facilities are for Blue Badge holders only.
    • The car park is located at the front of the hospital, in front of main entrance.
    • The car park type is open air/surface.
    • The car park does not have a height restriction barrier.
    • The car park does not have a barrier control system.
    • The car park surface is tarmac.
    • There is a/are Blue Badge parking bay(s) available.
    • The Blue Badge bay(s) is/are clearly marked and signposted.
    • There is/are 10+ designated Blue Badge parking bay(s) within the hospital car park.
    • The dimensions of the designated Blue Badge parking bay(s) surveyed are 231cm x 523cm (7ft 7in x 17ft 2in).
    • There is a 120cm hatched zone around the Blue Badge parking bay(s).
    • Parking spaces for Blue Badge holders do not need to be booked in advance.
  • Drop-off Point View
    • There is not a designated drop-off point.
  • Paying View
  • Access to the Hospital View
    • The route from the car park to the entrance is accessible to a wheelchair user with assistance.
    • Assistance may be required because there is/are dropped kerbs.
    • The hospital entrance is clearly visible from the car park.
    • The nearest designated Blue Badge parking bay is approximately 10m (10yd 2ft) from the main entrance.

Outside Access (Main Entrance)

  • Entrance Details View
    • This information is for the entrance located at the front of the hospital.
    • The entrance area/door is clearly signed.
    • There is ramped/sloped access at this entrance.
    • There is a canopy or recess which provides weather protection at this entrance.
    • There are bollards outside this entrance.
    • The minimum width between the bollards/wall is 194cm.
    • The bollard(s) has/have a high visual contrast to prevent them being hazardous to visually impaired people.
    • The entrance door(s) does not/do not contrast visually with its immediate surroundings.
    • There is not a bell/buzzer.
    • There is not an intercom.
    • There is a hand sanitiser.
    • The height of the hand sanitiser is 123cm (4ft).
    • There is not a door release button when exiting.
    • Standard manual wheelchairs are available for people to borrow at this entrance.
    • The main door(s) open(s) automatically.
    • The door(s) is/are single width.
    • The width of the door opening is 143cm.
    • There is a small lip on the threshold of the entrance, with a height of 1.5cm or below.
    • There is a second set of doors.
    • The door(s) open(s) automatically.
    • The door(s) is/are double width.
    • The width of the door opening is 174cm.
  • Ramp/Slope Details View
    • The ramp/slope is located in front of the entrance.
    • The ramp/slope gradient is slight.
  • Comments View
    • There is also an automatic door on the right side of the canopy.
    • The door is 143cm wide and has a slight slope in front.

Getting To (Ward G4 - Culford)

  • Ward G4 - Culford is/are located on the ground floor in area of 12 of Yellow Zone.
  • Access to Ward G4 - Culford is via the main hospital entrance.
  • When entering the hospital go straight ahead, turn right at the end of the corridor and continue ahead. After the staircase turn right and then immediately left. This part of the route is a Memory Walk named Forget-Me-Not Walk, a reminiscent corridor designed to provide a calm and comforting space for patients with dementia. Follow the Memory Walk and bear left at the Yellow Zone lift. Ward G4 - Culford is located at the end of the corridor on the right.
  • There is step free access to Ward G4 - Culford.
  • Ward G4 - Culford is approximately 218m from the main hospital entrance.
  • There is a/are manual, heavy, double door(s) between the main hospital entrance and the department/service.
  • Wayfinding signage is provided.
  • Dementia friendly signage is not provided.
  • There is flooring in corridors with a very shiny finish which could cause issues with glare or be perceived as slippery.
  • There is flooring in corridors with large, repeating patterns that incorporate bold contrasting colours or simulate steps.

Outside Access (Ward G4 Culford Entrance)

  • This information is for the entrance located on the first floor of the hospital.
  • There is level access into the venue.
  • The main door(s) open towards you (pull).
  • The doors are double width.
  • The door(s) is / are heavy.
  • The door opening is 150cm (4ft 11in) wide.
  • Second set of doors View
    • There is a second set of doors.
    • The door(s) open towards you (pull).
    • The doors are double width.
    • The door(s) is / are heavy.
    • The door opening is 152cm (4ft 12in) wide.

Reception

  • The desk is 3m (9ft 10in) from the ward entrance .
  • There is level access to reception from the entrance.
  • The reception desk is high height.
  • The desk has a lowered section.
  • The desk is generally staffed.
  • Lighting levels are medium.
  • There is not a touch screen.
  • There is not a prescription box.
  • There is not a bell to attract attention.
  • There is sufficient space to write or sign documents on the desk.

Inside Access

  • There is level access to the service.
  • There is a hearing assistance system.
  • The hearing system is available only on request.
  • The system is a portable loop.
  • Staff are trained to use the system.
  • This venue does not play background music.
  • Route finding signage is available.
  • The type of flooring in walkways and corridors is vinyl.
  • The lighting levels are medium.
  • Comments View
    • The photographs show the main corridor and the day room respectively.

Ward

  • There is level access to the ward.
  • The ward is unisex.
  • There are 5 bays available.
  • There are 2 side rooms available.
  • The area / room / bay surveyed was Bay 4.
  • The area / room / bay is 3m (9ft 10in) from the ward entrance .
  • There are not doors to the bay / side room.
  • The type of flooring is vinyl.
  • There is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre between beds.
  • All beds are adjustable.
  • All beds have bedside storage.
  • Bedside services available are television, telephone, radio and internet.
  • Some of these services are chargeable.
  • A hoist is available.
  • The hoist is manual.
  • A sling is available.
  • The sling is attached by hook and loop.
  • There is not an accessible toilet for visitors to use on the ward.
  • There is not an accessible toilet for visitors to use outside the ward.
  • There is a standard toilet for visitors to use on the ward.
  • There is a bathroom on the ward.
  • Lighting levels are medium.
  • A flashing alarm is not available.
  • A vibrating alarm is not available.

Accessible Shower

  • Accessible shower facilities are available.
  • The showers are located to the right after you enter the ward.
  • The facilities available in the accessible shower are an adjustable shower head, handrails and a flip down seat.
  • The height of the seat is 55cm (1ft 10in).
  • There is level access to the services from the shower facilities.

Accessible Bathroom

  • There are accessible bathrooms available.
  • Location and access View
    • The bathroom is unisex.
    • The bathroom is not for the sole use of disabled people.
    • There is pictorial signage on or near the accessible bathroom door.
    • The accessible bathroom is 8m (26ft 3in) from the ward entrance .
    • There is level access to the accessible bathroom.
  • Features and dimensions View
    • A key is not required for the accessible bathroom.
    • The door opens inwards.
    • The door is locked by a twist lock.
    • The width of the door is 124cm (4ft 1in).
    • The door is heavy.
    • The dimensions of the bathroom are 190cm x 270cm (6ft 3in x 8ft 10in).
    • The bathroom has a non slip floor.
    • Floor manoeuvring space is clear in the bathroom.
  • Position of fixtures View
    • There is a lateral transfer space.
    • The lateral transfer space is 90cm (2ft 11in).
    • As you face the toilet pan the transfer space is on the right.
    • There is a dropdown rail on the transfer side.
    • There is a flush on the transfer side.
  • Features and dimensions View
    • There is not a functional emergency alarm available.
    • It is out of reach (higher than 10cm (0ft 4in) from floor).
    • Disposal facilities are available in the cubicle.
    • There is not a coat hook.
  • Position of fixtures View
    • Wall mounted rails are available.
    • As you face the toilet the wall mounted grab rails are on the left.
    • The height of the toilet seat above floor level is 42cm (1ft 5in).
    • There is a toilet roll holder.
    • The toilet roll holder can be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The toilet roll holder is not placed higher than 100cm (3ft 3in).
    • There is a sink.
    • The sink can be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The sink is 75cm (2ft 6in) high.
    • The tap type is lever.
    • There is a mixer tap for the sink.
    • There are mirrors in the accessible bathroom.
    • Mirrors are not placed at a lower level or at an angle for ease of use.
  • Bath details View
    • There is a bath.
    • The height of the side of the bath from floor level is 56cm (1ft 10in).
    • The tap type is lever.
    • There is not a mixer tap.
    • There is a shower over the bath.
    • The shower head height is adjustable.
    • The shower control type is lever.
    • There are not wall mounted handrails available.
  • Wheel in shower details View
    • There is not a wheel in shower.
  • Colour contrast and lighting View
    • The contrast between the internal door and wall is good.
    • The contrast between the grab rails and wall is fair.
    • The contrast between the drop down rails and wall is fair.
    • The contrast between the walls and floor is good.
    • Lighting levels are medium.

Standard Toilet(s)